1. Asia’s first and longest cycle highway was inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh by UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. It is also India’s first cycle highway.

2. This 207 kms cycle highway connects the Taj City Agra and the Lion Safari at Etawah.

3. Highlights of the cycle highway

• This 7-feet-wide cycle highway was constructed by the UP public works department.

• It runs parallel to the main highway, but is separated by a divider which ensures the safety of cyclists.

3. Opposition wins near majority in Kuwait Parliamentary Elections

1. The opposition parties have won near-majority in Kuwait’s early elections by claiming 24 seats out of the total 50.

2. Most candidates who have won from the opposition’s side belong to Islamist groups that reportedly have links with Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists. The snap polls were called by Emir Sabah al Ahmed al Sabah following a gridlock over economic policies.

3. Key Highlights

• This is the fourth election since 2012. The previous ones were boycotted by the opposition parties in protest against the voting system put in place by the Emir.

• The Shia minority have been reduced to six seats from nine in the previous assembly.

• Safa Al Hashem is the only woman to have won a seat in the new assembly. There were 15 other women candidates in the running, all of whom lost subsequently. This is Safa’s third parliamentary victory.

1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 29 November 2016 reduced the cash withdrawal limit from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts to Rs 10000 a month only with an aim to protect farmers and rural Jan Dhan account holders from money launderers.

2. It applies to know your customer (KYC) compliant PMJDY accounts funded through deposits of new bank notes after 9 November 2016.

3. Key Highlights

• PMJDY account holders, who want to withdraw more than Rs 10000 a month, will have to furnish appropriate documents to prove why they need the money.

• The branch managers can allow further withdrawals beyond Rs 10000 only after ascertaining the genuineness of such withdrawals and duly documenting the details on bank’s record.

• Limited or Non-KYC compliant PMJDY account holders will be allowed to withdraw Rs 5000 per month from the amount deposited in new currency notes after 9 November 2016. These account holders can withdraw up to Rs 10000.

5. Union Government to introduce Direct Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy

1. The Union Government has decided to introduce Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for fertilizer subsidy payments.

2. Under the proposed system, 100% subsidy on various fertilizer grades will be released to the manufacturers and importers on basis of actual sales made by the retailer to the beneficiaries.

6. Lt General AK Bhatt appointed as new DGMO

1. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Lt-General A K Bhatt as the new director-general of military operations (DGMO).

2. He will succeed Lt-General Ranbir Singh who has been promoted and will take over 1 Corps (headquarters at Mathura), command of a strike corps on the Western border. Lt-General A K Bhatt will be in charge of all army operations including on the LoC which has seen heightened tension.